The Game Boy Advance (ゲームボーイアドバンス, Gēmu Bōi Adobansu, often shortened to GBA) is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the popular Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia on June 22, 2001, in Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China on June 8, 2004 (excluding Hong Kong).

In 1996, magazines including issues 53 and 54 of Total! and the July 1996 issue of Game Informer featured reports of a new Game Boy, codenamed Project Atlantis. Although the expected release date of "early 1997" would make this machine seem to be the Game Boy Color, it was described as having "a 32-bit RISC processor" and "allowing similar to SNES standard games-playing to be played in the palm of your hand"—a description that more closely matches the Game Boy Advance.

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On December 1, 2006, Nintendo of America released launch-to-date information indicating that the Game Boy Advance series had sold 33.63 million units in the United States. As of September 30, 2007, the Game Boy Advance series has sold 80.48 million units worldwide, of which 42.82 million are Game Boy Advance SP units.

The Game Boy Advance has become the modern flagship of sprite-based games. With hardware superior to the Super NES it has proven that sprite-based technology could improve and live side by side with the 3D games of today's consoles. The Game Boy Advance not only has one's typical platformers, but also a huge collection of SNES-style RPGs. It has also become a popular system for old-school gamers due to the increasing amount of games ported from various 8-bit and 16-bit systems of the previous era.

Through the use of flash cartridges and emulators the Game Boy Advance can even play NES and TurboGrafx-16 games, as well as AGI-based Sierra On-Line PC adventure games. Backward compatibility for Game Boy and Game Boy Color games is provided by an 8.4 MHz Z80 co-processor, while a link port at the top of the unit allows it to be connected to other devices via use of a Nintendo Game Link cable or GameCube cable.

Many people have developed their own software to run on the Game Boy Advance. This is typically tested using emulators, and later written to flash cartridges to run on real consoles. Most such developers use a version of the GNU Compiler Collection (gcc) and program in either C or C++, though recently some developers have started using Free Pascal.

In early 2003, Nintendo upgraded the Gameboy Advance to the Gameboy Advance SPgiving it an internal front-light that can be turned on or off, a rechargeable lithium ion battery, as well as a folding case approximately half the original size. It was designed to address some common complaints with the original Game Boy Advance which was criticized for being very uncomfortable. The Game Boy Advance SP also came with a new and much brighter LCD screen for improved playability.

Around the same time as the release of the Game Boy Micro, Nintendo released a new backlit version of the SP in North America (commonly referred to as the "GBA SP+"). The switch that controls the light now toggles between "normal" (which itself is already brighter than the original Game Boy Advance SP's screen), and "bright," an intense brightness level similar to an LCD television set.

In September 2005, Nintendo released a second redesign of the Game Boy Advance. This model, dubbed the Game Boy Micro, is similar in style to the original Game Boy Advance's horizontal orientation, but is much smaller and sleeker. The Game Boy Micro also allows the user an ability to switch between several colored faceplates to allow customization, a feature which Nintendo advertised heavily around the Game Boy Micro's launch. Nintendo also hoped that this "fashion" feature will help target audiences outside of typical video game players, much like its new Wii. Unlike the previous Game Boy Advance models, Game Boy Micro is unable to support Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles.

Nintendo's competitors in the handheld market were the Neo Geo Pocket Color, Bandai Swan Crystal, Game Park 32, Tapwave Zodiac and the Nokia N-Gage. Despite the competitors' best efforts, Nintendo maintained its majority market share with the Game Boy Advance.

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As Luke Skywalker, relive the greatest moment of the classic Star Wars trilogy as you rise from young apprentice to Jedi master! May the Force be with you. Always. Use amazing Jedi powers to battle stormtroopers, Darth Vader and other classic Star Wars foes. Unlock authentic movie content direct from the Star Wars trilogy. Play with friends in...

Take your team to the dizzy heights of the 2002 club and international football season: Test your ball control: tackle, head, dribble, pass and score with amazing realism. Compete in all major European league competitions with real players: English League, Italian League, Spanish League, German League, Dutch League and 38 national teams. Play in...

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Do you have what it takes to lead your dodge ball team to become the world's No 1? Over 50 devastating throws. Choose from a dozen world class teams. Brutal head-to-head actions, using the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable.

As dauntless knight Arthur you are caught up in the most dangerous of quests! A spell has been cast upon the kingdom. Your fair maiden, Princess Prin Prin has been snatched up by the evil emperor. Only as Arthur can you get her back from the creatures of the undead that haunt the land. Test your courage and skill to the limit. You must keep up the...

Two classics in one pack! The NES smash hit Super Mario Bros 2 and Mario Bros come together in one Game pack looking better than ever on Game Boy Advance! Make your way through 20 levels with Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad each with unique running, jumping and lifting abilities in Super Mario Bros 2. Then work together with up to 4 players or have...

One of Mario's greatest adventures is in your hands! Bowser has taken over Dinosaur Land, so guide either Mario or Luigi astride Yoshi through the 96 exists of the Super NES original powered up with all-new features for the Game Boy Advance! The Mario Bros arcade game is also included - so link with up to 4 players using a single Game Pak...

Yoshi's back baby! Make your way through 6 enormous worlds to stop Komek's evil plan. An incredible egg throwing adventure awaits in this Super NES classic, now powered up with all new features for the Game Boy Advance. The Mario Bros arcade game is also included so link with up to 4 players using a single Game Pak and play the timeless...

Experience the ultimate arcade action in your home. Super Move! If you're not addicted to Super Move after playing Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo, you will definitely not be excited by whatever game you play! By using the regular special moves, charge up the Super Move gauge. Input the Super Move Command, then let it soar! Experience the ultimate...

Here comes a new legacy to Mana series called Sword of Mana. This Game Boy Advance based remake of the first Seiken Densetsu, which was released in English as Final Fantasy Adventure on the original Game Boy. Many Square fans will remember that Seiken Densetsu 2 was released on SNES in English as Secret of Mana.

The Associated Nexus of Galaxies (TANG) has been threatened by hordes of invaders bent on destroying the planet's Energy Crystals. As a last hope, the TANG calls upon four super dimensional cyborg soldiers known as the Tangibles, who have the ability to conjure up solid blocks out of thin air. These brave heroes will need to use their cunning,...

Finally, the biggest, baddest bruiser of them all goes portable! And it's all here... the vicious combos, the killer graphics, and the greatest fighters. Practive your technique, remember to sidestep, and pray your skills are up to the challenge. Nothing compares to the massive bone crunching moves and brutal face-poundings of the King of Iron...

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For over a decade, the Tetris series has made an appearance on every game system. Tetris Worlds continues that streak, bringing their distinct brand of simple, yet addictive gameplay to the current generation of systems. Small shapes called Tetraminoes fall from the top of the screen to the bottom and you must rotate them and fit them together to...

Moe, Larry and Curly star in their own Cinemaware Interactive Movie! Join those zany masters of mirth as they try to save an old lady and her 3 beautiful daughter from the clutches of an evil banker. You'll hear the real Stooges' voices as you manoeuvre them through a variety of antics, including prize fighting, pie throwing and medical madness in...

Sent to execute desperate missions, you're the last resort of your government. Your name is Sam Fisher. You are a Splinter Cell. Hide, sneak and use prototype weapons and gadgets to infiltrate 10 tense action filled maps. Unlock up to 5 secret maps by connecting to the Nintendo Gamecube version.